Chain



Dec. 26, 1944. F. H; DALRYMPLE Y' v2,365,866

CHAIN Filed.l 001'.. 7, 1942 FEED/NAND /7. DALRVMPLE Arrow/5v5 25 I 3 Wm'Laz/mwv Patented Dec. 26, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHAIN Ferdinand H. Dalrymple, Bedford, Ohio Application October 7, 1942, Serial No. 461,184

(Cl. 'i4-246) 9 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in chains, and particularly to improvements providing for quick and convenient detachment and replacement of every chain link. The invention also relates to improved interchangeable chain links.

One form of the invention herein' shown and described provides for such link removal, replacement, and interchangeability, in chain adapted to accommodate sprocket tooth engagement in only one'plane, and another form of the invention herein shown and described provides for such link removal, replacement, and interchangeability, and is also'adapted to accommodate sprocket tooth engagement in more than one plane.

Other certain detail advantages inherent in the forms of detachable-link chain herein shown and described will be fully referred to in the specification hereinafter, by reference to the accompanying drawing.

The claims oi the instant application are limited to the form of the invention adapted to accommodate sprocket tooth engagement in more than one plane and shown in Figures to 12 of the accompanying drawing hereinafter fully described.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain means illustrating the improvementsin chains, such disclosed means constituting, however, only two of the various forms in which the principle of the invention may be embodied.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1-is`a plan of the link of a chain which can be formed of a plurality of like links, of which each link is readily removable and replaceable, and is interchangeable with every other link;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the link shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a pin for articulately connecting adjacent links;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a fragmentary portion of a chain assembled from links of the charalso interchangeable with every other sprocketengaging link;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the form of link shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a transverse section, taken in the plane indicated .by the line '1 -l, Figure 6';

Figure 8 is a plan View of a connecting block adapted to be Secured at its respective ends to the ends ofl adjacent links, such as shown in Figures 5 and 6, to form a complete chain, this connecting block being interchangeable with every other connecting block;

Figure 9 is a side View of such connecting block;

Figure 10 is aY plan view of a pin for articulately connecting the respective ends of the connecting block to the ends of adjacent links;

Figure 11 is a plan view of a fragmentary portion of a chain assembled from links of the character shown in Figures 5 and 6 connected in series by blocks and pinsof the character shown in Figures 8 and 10, respectively; and

Figure, 12 is a transverse section, similarA to that shown in Figure 7, but also illustrating a manner of adapting attachments to the form of chain shown in Figure`11.

Referring to the annexed drawing in which the same parts are indicated by the same respective numbers in the several views, and first referring particularly to `Figures 1-4, a box-like type of link |Figures 1 and 2, comprises a housing rectangular in cross-section and having closed side portions 2 and 3, respectively, and an open top 4'and a similar open bottom through which sprocket tooth engagement can be eected, end portions 5 of the link having convexly curved opposed inner surface portions 6 providing sprocket tooth clearance and most efective Sprocket tooth engagement. j

The link I shown in Figures 1 and 2 is formed to provide quick and convenient removability and reacter shown in Figures 1 and 2 connected in series by pins of the character shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a link having the removal and replacement advantages hereinbefore set forth regarding the form of link shown in Figures 1 and 2, but the form of'link shown in Figure 5 having the added advantage of forming a chain of which each link can accommodate sprocket tooth engagement in more than one plane; this form of link'sl'iown in Figure 5 being placement of each link of a chain; as also, to provide secure holding together of the links and the proper relative play of the same in operation and, to this end, one link end portion 5 is formed with a central extension or tongue 8 and the other end portion 5 with opposed extensions or jaws 9 forming a central -free space I D therebetween. The extension 8 at one end of the link I is formed with a transverse bore I2 and the extensions 9 at the opposite end are formed with axially aligned transverse bores I3. The purpose is articulately to connect adjacent links I by pins I5, `Figure 3, yjournallecl in the bores I3 of one link and passing through the extension 8 of the adjacent link, which extension 8 intersects the central free space I of the rst link with its bore I2 axially aligned with the bores I3 of the first link.

As stated, the connecting of the links I is designed to be a reliably secure one and to provide the desired articulation and yet provide for quick and convenient removal and replacement of the individual links. To this end, the retaining of the pin I in the bores I2 and I3 is effected by a cooperating key and groove. The key I1 is provided on the pin I5 and the grooves I8 and I9 are formed in the walls of the respective bores I2 and I3. It is thus apparent that i-f the bore I2 of one link is positioned in the space I0 in axial alignment with the bores I3of another 'link with the grooves I8 and I9 in alignment, the pin I5 can be passed into the bores with the key I1 passing along the grooves I8 and I9 and thus adjacent links connected together.

The location and formation of the' grooves I8 and I9 are such as to provide for the mentioned alignment for connection and disconnection of the links and also to insure that the pins I5 will not fall out or be shaken out of the bores I2 and,

I3 during the operation of the chain. It. is evident that 'articulating links can be pivotally longitudinally swung toward and from each other upon the pin I5 as an axis. The relative locations of the grooves I8 and I9 is such that the key I1 of the pin I5 can bepassed into the groove I8 only when two links are so positioned as to hang towards each other in longitudinal planes, i. e., the links form -ancangle of considerable amplitude from longitudinal alignment having its apex in the axis of the bores I2 and I3. However, when the links are in substantially longitudinal alignment, such as is true of chain operation, the key I1 of the pin I5, which is a key substantially centrally formed on the pin, is prevented from moving laterally by reason of its abutment against the inside face portions of the extensions 9. Such an arrangement of the grooves I8 and I9, whereby the key I1 of the pin I5 can be inserted in the bore I2 only when the two links have been swung toward each other and which will prevent the lateral movement of the key I1 when the links have been straightened out is shown in Figure 2, and the particular relative location of the grooves I8 and I9 therein Shownis an offset arrangement of each groove of substantially 45Q in oppositevdirections from parallel'vertical planes so that the complete differential between the grooves-I8 and I9 or the amount of their dissymmetrical location relative to the axis of rotation of the links, when rotated on the bores I2 and I3 as an axis, is substantially 90;

Each link I of the chain shown in Figure 4 is identical with every other link and hence they are all interchangeable. Furthermore, they can be turned end for ,end for connection with another like link properly positioned, and can be reversed top and bottom, thus to provide'desired wear or compensate for unequal Wear.

In addition to the ready and convenient removability and replacement of the individual links just described, an added advantage provided is the making of the pin I5 of such a length that it is flush with the outer surfaces or even shorter than the overall dimension ofthe extensions 9 of the link whereby all side surfaces of the link are smooth surfaces for bearing against channel guides in which the type of chain shown usually runs. The pin shown in the accompany- .verse dimension of the link I.

ing drawing is somewhat shorter than the trans- The outer ends of the bores I3 in the extensions 9 and both ends of the bores I2 in the extension 8 have outwardly flared beveled surfaces, as indicated by 2I, to provide for conventient insertion of the pin I5 in the bores I2 and I3.

It is ,evidentfhoweven that in an emergency, such as might occur in the eld, and if the pin I5 herein shown and described is not available, a standard pin such as the headed or cotter type could be utilized.

The t of the key I1 in the grooves I8 and I9' is mediumly tight and it is designed that the pin I5 when inserted or withdrawn therefrom shall be lightly tapped on the end' to eiect the moving of the key I1 lengthwise of the grooves I8 and I9.

Referring to the form of invention shown in Figures 5-11, the links of the chain are each adapted for sprocket engagement in more than one plane. This form of link also possesses the advantages of removability, replacement, and interchangeabilty above described with reference to the form of link and chainshownin Figures 1-4.

The form 'of chain shown in Figures 5.-l1,com prises a multiple of spaced cage-links alternated with blocks forming connecting links. One end of the block is articulately connected to one end of a link and the opposite end of the block is articulately connected to the opposite end of a similar link, the connecting means being journal pins having outwardly-extended keys seated in grooves formed in the. connecting block. i

Referring in detail to the form of chain shown in Figures 5,-11, the link 25 has spaced edge bars 26 providing openings. 21 for sprocket tooth engagement on all four sidesI of the link25. One end 28 of the link 25 is formed with outwardlyextended spaced jaws 29 forming a free space .30 therebetweenl and .the opposite end 28 of the link 25 is formed with similar outwardly-extended jaws 3l arranged, however, at right angles to the, jaws 29, to form a freel space 32 atright angles to the aforementioned free space 3,0. All of theinner face portion of each link end 28 except a central plane portion 34 is comprisedv of a plurality of convexly curved surface portions 33 extending from the peripheries of the respective sides of the link end 28 to an `edge of the central plane portion 3.4, thus providing` ample sprocket clearance and effectivesprocket tooth engagement on all four sides of the link `2 5.

The jaws 29 are formed with axially aligned bores 36 having outer beveled ends, 3,1, the walls,y of these Ibores 36 lbeing intersected by aligned grooves 38. The jaws 3| are formed with axially aligned bores 40 having outer beveledends 4I, the walls of these bores 49 being intersected by alignedl grooves 42. It is evident that theY axes of the bores 36 and 40 extend relatively in right angular directions. The grooves 38 and 42 are formed in the same positions relative to the axes of the respective bores 36 and 4I),v i. e., by refer- 'ence to Figures 5 and 6, it will be notedj that the transverse bore 41 having outer beveled .ends 5l and Whose wall is intersected bya groove 48, and the block end portionr46'is formed-with a bore 49 having outer' beveled ends 54 and whose Wall is intersected by a transverse groove 58. As

4clearly appearsin Figures 8 and 9, thegrooves 48 and 50 are each locatedon that side of their respective bores 41 and 49, respectively, which is toward the center of the-connectingblock 44.

The articulate connection of the alternate links 25 and connecting blocks 44` isfeiTected by pivotally securing the end 45 of the `block 44 in the free space 32,.at one end of the link 25 and also pivotally securing the other end 46 ofthe block 44 in the free space 38 of a similar link 25. This connection is elfected by means of journal pins 52 having central outwardly-extended keys 53 adapted to cooperate with the grooves 38, 42, 48, and 5U. By reason ofthe relative disposition of the various bores and grooves, the key 53 can be passed completely into the grooves 42 and 48, if the block 44 is moved 90 relatively to the link or the link 25 moved 90 in the opposite direction relatively to the block 44, or both the link 25 and the block 44 moved relatively an ag' grooves 42, but will be locked in` by the inner side faces of the jaws 3|. y

Also, a movement of the block 44 90 relatively to the jaws 29 of the link 25, after the end 46 of the block 44 has been passed into the free space 3B, will bring the grooves 38 and 50 into alignment so that a pin 52 can bepassed into the bores 36 and 49 with the key 53 passing into the groove 58, after which a straightening of the link 25 and the block 44 will lock the key 53 against the inner side faces of the jaws 29.

As before stated, the form of link 25 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is adapted for vsprocket engagement in more than one plane. This link 25 can be engaged by sprocket teeth on all of its four sides. Therefore, a chain formed from links of this character can be driven concurrently both by vertical driving and horizontal driving. Each link can be turned, as desired, to present any of its four faces to either side or top or bottom for accommodation of driving or wearing conditions.

Referring particularly to Figure 12, it will be noted that one Way of securing an attachment to the improved chain is therein shown, a double channel base 56 being positioned against and adjacently below the two upper link corner bars 26 to which double channel base 56 is bolted the attachment platform 51. The snug connection of the channel base 56 with the bottom surfaces of the top corner bars 26 and a raised central base portion 56 to which the attachment platform 51 is bolted provide a securing structure for the attachment which does not interfere with sprocket tooth engagement through the side openings 21 of the link.

What I claim is:

1. A chain link having a skeleton body portion with four open sides for sprocket engagement in a plurality of planes, the link having end portions formed with centrally disposed plane inner face surfaces and curved surfaces extended from the plane surfaces to the peripheries of the respective sides of the end portions, the end portions being formed with connecting-pinv bores whose respective axes extend in relatively right angular. directions, the Walls ofthe bores being intersected by grooves for pin keys.k

2. .A chain link having a skeleton bodyl portion with `four open sides for sprocket engagement in aplurality' of planes, the link having end portionstformed `with centrally disposed plane inner face surfaces and curved surfaces extended from the `plane surfaces to the peripheries of the respective sides of the end portions, the end portions beingformed with connecting-pin bores, the wallsfoflthe bores being intersected bygrooves forfpin keys. Y f

3. A chain having a multiplicity of links, each adjacent two of which are connected by a block articulately connected thereto by journal pins, each link and each block having bores at each end adapted to accommodate a journal pin, the bores of the links being extended in relatively right angular directions and the bores of the block being extended in the same relatively right angular directions, the walls of all of said bores being formed with grooves, a key outwardly extended from each journal pin and adapted to be accommodated in the grooves, the respective grooves of the links and the blockwhich are extended in the same directions being located relatively ninety degrees apart relative to the axis of rotation when the link or block is rotated on a pin as an axis.

4. A chain having a multiplicity of links, each adjacent two of which are connected by a block articulately connected thereto by journal pins, each link and each block having bores at each end adapted to accommodate a journal pin, the bores at each end of the links being formed in opposed spaced side extensions thereof and the respective ends of the block being accommodated in the spaces between the side extensions, the

bores of the links being extended in relatively right angular directions and the bores of the block being extended in the same relatively right angular directions, the walls of all of said bores being formed with grooves, a key outwardly extended from each journal pin and adapted to be accommodated in the grooves, said key being located intermediate the ends of the journal pin and. Vbeing accommodated in the space between side extensions of the link, the respective grooves for articulate connection of the link with adjacent chain elements, the axis of the bore at one end of the link being non-parallel to the axis of the bore at the opposite end of the link, the Walls of the bores being intersected by key grooves.

6. A chain link having a body formed with engaging surfaces providing sprocket engagement in a plurality of non-parallel planes, the body being further formed at each end with spaced connecting portions `having respective axially aligned bores, the axis of the bores at one end being non-parallel to the axis of the bores at the opposite end, the walls of the bores being intersected by key grooves.

7. A chain link having a body formed with engaging surfaces providing sprocket engagement in a plurality of non-parallel planes, the

body being further formed at each end Ywith spaced connecting portions having respective axially aligned bores, the axis of the bores at .one end being extended at rightangles to the axis of the bores at the opposite end, the walls of the bores being intersected by key grooves.

8. A chain link including a skeleton body member with end portions rhaving convex inner end surfaces and lengthwise edge bars connected to said end portions thus forming link openings for sprocket engagement on relatively right angular sides of the link and betweenadjacent edge bars, the body being further formed for articulatevconnection of the link with adjacent chain elements.

9. A chain link including a skeleton body member with end portions having convex inner end surfaces and lengthwise transversely-spaced bars.

connected to said end portions to form link openings for sprocket engagement on non-parallel sides of the link and between adjacent bars, the body being further formed for articulate connection with adjacent chain elements.

FERDINAND H. DALRYMPLE. 

